Air filter assembly

ABSTRACT

A filter assembly includes a housing including a first member and a second member, and supporting therein a filter. The second member is at least partially disposed within an interior of said first member, with said first member vertically moveable relative to said second member in response to an impact load. At least one latch mechanism removeably couples the first member to the second member. The latch mechanism includes a damper that is biased against a vertical wall of the housing. The damper is compressible in a horizontal direction in response to the vertical movement of the first member relative to the second member.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention generally relates to an air filter assembly for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Air filter assemblies filter out particulate matter from a flow of airentering an internal combustion engine. The air filter assembly islocated within the engine compartment of a vehicle. Typically, the airfilter assembly includes a rigid plastic housing, that includes a firstmember and a second member latched together. The housing defines an airinlet for receiving the flow of air, and an air outlet for exhaustingthe flow of air. A filter is disposed within an interior of the housing,between the air inlet and the air outlet, to filter out the particulatematter suspended within the flow of air.

A hood of the vehicle and the various components located within theengine compartment of the vehicle may be designed to deform in responseto an impact load to absorb and/or dissipate energy. Enablingdeformation of the hood may include providing a crush zone in the spaceimmediately under the hood within the engine compartment that is free ofany engine components, or alternatively only includes soft and/orcompressible components. As the housing of the air filter assembly isgenerally rigid, the air filter assembly is generally precluded frombeing positioned within the crush zone immediately under the hood.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An air filter assembly for a vehicle is provided. The air filterassembly includes a housing having a first member and a second member.The first member is vertically moveable relative to the second member.The air filter assembly further includes at least one latch mechanismthat is configured for removeably coupling the first member and thesecond member. The at least one latch mechanism includes a damper. Thedamper is biased against the housing, and is compressible in ahorizontal direction in response to the vertical movement of the firstmember relative to the second member.

In another aspect of the invention, an air filter assembly for a vehicleis provided. The air filter assembly includes a housing having a firstmember and a second member. The first member is slideably disposed aboutan outer perimeter of the second member. The first member is verticallymoveable relative to the second member. The second member is at leastpartially disposed within an interior of the first member. The airfilter assembly further includes at least one latch mechanism. The latchmechanism is configured for removeably coupling the first member and thesecond member. The latch mechanism includes a damper that is biasedagainst the housing. The damper is compressible in a horizontaldirection in response to the vertical movement of the first member.

Accordingly, the air filter assembly is vertically compressible inresponse to an impact load, thereby allowing the air filter assembly tobe located within a crush zone under a hood of a vehicle, whilemaintaining the appropriate deformation capabilities of the hood. Thedamper of the air filter assembly absorbs the impact energy as the firstmember moves vertically. Additionally, allowing the air filter assemblyto compress vertically provides additional crushable space for the hoodto deform upon impact, thereby allowing the hood to absorb more impactenergy.

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages ofthe present invention are readily apparent from the following detaileddescription of the best modes for carrying out the invention when takenin connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross sectional view of an air filter assembly inan initial, i.e. normal operating, position.

FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the air filterassembly.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross sectional view of the air filter assembly ina compressed, i.e., crash, position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate correspondingparts throughout the several views, an air filter assembly is showngenerally at 20. The air filter assembly 20 is for a vehicle, and isdisposed within an engine compartment of the vehicle.

The air filter assembly 20 includes a housing 22. The housing 22includes a first member 24, e.g., an upper member or a cover, and asecond member 26, e.g., a lower member or a casing. It should beappreciated that the first member 24 and the second member 26 may bedefined other than the upper member and the lower member respectively.As shown in FIG. 3, the first member 24 is vertically moveable relativeto the second member 26 in response to a vertical load 28 being appliedto the first member 24. For example, in the event an object strikes ahood of the vehicle causing the hood to collapse vertically downward,the hood may impart a vertical load 28 onto the first member 24 of thehousing 22, thereby causing the first member 24 to move verticallyrelative to the second member 26. The first member 24 is slideablydisposed about an outer perimeter 30 of the second member 26, therebyallowing for the vertical movement of the first member 24 relative tothe second member 26. The second member 26 is at least partiallydisposed within an interior 32 of the first member 24. It should beappreciated that during the vertical movement of the first member 24relative to the second member 26, the first member 24 slides down overthe outer perimeter 30 of the second member 26, with the second member26 respectively moving upward into the interior 32 of the first member24.

The first member 24 and the second member 26 include and aremanufactured from a rigid material. The rigid material may include, butis not limited to, a plastic, a polymer, nylon, metal, or some otherrigid material capable of maintaining structural rigidity under a vacuumpressure.

The housing 22 includes and defines an air inlet 34 and an air outlet36. The air inlet 34 receives a flow of air. The air outlet 36 exhauststhe flow of air and directs the flow of air to an engine of the vehicle.At least one of the first member 24 and the second member 26 defines theair inlet 34 and the air outlet 36. As shown, the second member 26defines the air inlet 34 and the first member 24 defines the air outlet36. However, it should be appreciated that the second member 26 maydefine the air outlet 36 and the first member 24 define the air inlet34, or that one of the first member 24 and the second member 26 coulddefine both the air inlet 34 and the air outlet 36.

The air filter assembly 20 further includes a seal 38 disposed betweenthe first member 24 and the second member 26. The seal 38 seals thefirst member 24 against the second member 26 to prevent air infiltrationinto or out of an interior 32 of the housing 22, from between the firstmember 24 and the second member 26. As shown, the seal 38 is attached tothe second member 26 and includes a flange for engaging an interiorsurface of the first member 24. However, it should be appreciated thatthe seal 38 may include any suitable seal 38 capable of sealing thefirst member 24 relative to the second member 26, and may be attached tothe housing 22 and configured other than shown and described herein.

The air filter assembly 20 further includes a filter 40. The filter 40is disposed within the interior 32 of the housing 22. The filter 40filters particulate matter from the flow of air as the flow of airpasses between the air inlet 34 and the air outlet 36. As shown, thefilter 40 includes a panel type filter 40 attached to and supported bythe first member 24 of the housing 22. However, it should be appreciatedthat any suitable filter 40 may be utilized in the air filter assembly20, such as a cylindrical filter 40 or the like. Accordingly, it shouldbe appreciated that the filter 40 may be configured and attached to thehousing 22 other than shown and described herein.

The air filter assembly 20 further includes at least one latch mechanism42 that is configured for removeably coupling the first member 24 andthe second member 26. As shown, the at least one latch mechanism 42includes three latch mechanisms 42 spaced about the periphery of thehousing 22. However, it should be appreciated that the air filterassembly 20 may include any number of latch mechanisms 42 suitable forthe specific design and configuration of the housing 22, including butnot limited to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.

The latch mechanism 42 includes a cage 44 disposed on one of the firstmember 24 and the second member 26, and a latch 46 disposed on anotherof the first member 24 and the second member 26. The latch 46 is inlatching engagement with the cage 44 to prevent separation of the firstmember 24 from the second member 26, i.e., to secure the first member 24to the second member 26 in an initial position, i.e., a normal operatingposition, which is shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the latch 46 is attachedto the first member 24 and the cage 44 is attached to the second member26. However, it should be appreciated that the relative positions of thelatch 46 and the cage 44 may be reversed, with the latch 46 attached tothe second portion 52 and the cage 44 attached to the first portion 48.

The latch 46 includes a first portion 48 attached to the housing 22,i.e., the first member 24, a spring portion 50 attached to the firstportion 48, and a second portion 52 extending from the spring portion 50to a distal end 54. The second portion 52 forms an acute angle 56 withthe first portion 48. The spring portion 50 biases the second portion 52away from the first portion 48 and the housing 22, and into latchingengagement with the cage 44.

The cage 44 defines an enclosed opening 58, with the first portion 48and the second portion 52 of the latch 46 moveably disposed within theenclosed opening 58. As such, the first portion 48 and the secondportion 52 may move vertically within and/or through the enclosedopening 58. The second portion 52 includes a detent 60. The detent 60engages the cage 44 when in the initial position, shown in FIG. 1.Accordingly, upon insertion of the latch 46 through the enclosed opening58 a pre-determined distance, the detent 60 snaps into lockingengagement with the cage 44 to secure the first member 24 relative tothe second member 26, and prevent unintentional upward vertical movementof the first member 24 relative to the second member 26. The secondportion 52 of the latch 46 further includes a wedge 62. The wedge 62 isdisposed between the detent 60 and the distal end 54 of the secondportion 52 of the latch 46. The wedge 62 engages the cage 44 during thevertical movement of the first member 24 relative to the second member26, thereby wedging the second portion 52 of the latch 46 inward towardthe housing 22 during the vertical movement of the first member 24relative to the second member 26, as shown in FIG. 3.

The latch mechanism 42 further includes a damper 64. The damper 64 isbiased against the housing 22, and is compressible in a horizontaldirection, generally indicated by arrow 66, in response to the verticalmovement, generally indicated by the vertical load 28, of the firstmember 24 relative to the second member 26. As described above, thelatch 46 is attached to the first member 24 and the cage 44 is attachedto the second member 26. The damper 64 is disposed adjacent the distalend 54 of the second portion 52, between the latch 46 and a verticalwall 68 of the housing 22, and is also disposed against an exteriorsurface of the housing 22. More specifically, the damper 64 is disposedbetween the second portion 52 of the latch 46 and a vertical wall 68 ofthe first member 24. The damper 64 is biased between and against thesecond portion 52 of the latch 46 and the vertical wall 68 of the firstmember 24.

The damper 64 includes a compressible material, i.e., a material capableof absorbing energy. The compressible material may include, but is notlimited to, a rubber material, a polyurethane material or some othersimilar material. As shown, the damper 64 includes a tubular grommet,and the second portion 52 of the latch 46 includes a post 70, over whichthe tubular grommet is secured. However, it should be appreciated thatthe damper 64 may be configured in some other shape and secured to thelatch mechanism 42 in a manner other than shown or described herein.

The acute angle 56 between the first portion 48 and the second portion52 of the latch 46 decreases in magnitude during the vertical movementof the first member 24 relative to the second member 26, with the distalend 54 of the second portion 52 moving closer to the housing 22. As thedistal end 54 of the second portion 52 moves closer to the housing 22,the damper 64, which is disposed between the second portion 52 of thelatch 46 and the housing 22 is compressed, thereby resisting themovement of the distal end 54 of the second portion 52 and absorbingenergy.

The latch mechanism 42 includes a tunable energy absorbing profile. Theenergy absorbing profile may be tuned to meet specific design andpackaging restraints of the vehicle. The energy absorbing profile isdependent upon a horizontal displacement of the latch 46 during thevertical movement of the first member 24 relative to the second member26, and a compressibility of the damper 64. Accordingly, the energyabsorbing profile may be tuned by adjusting the distance of thehorizontal displacement of the latch 46 during the vertical movement byadjusting the size and/or shape of the wedge 62, and by adjusting thecompressibility characteristics of the damper 64. For example, a stiffercompressibility of the damper 64 may absorb more energy than a lowercompressibility of the damper 64. Similarly, increasing a wedge 62 angleof the wedge 62 causes the second portion 52 of the latch 46 to movefurther horizontally toward the housing 22, which may increase theenergy absorbed.

While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been describedin detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relateswill recognize various alternative designs and embodiments forpracticing the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

1. An air filter assembly for a vehicle, the air filter assembly comprising: a housing having a first member and a second member, with said first member vertically moveable relative to said second member; and at least one latch mechanism configured for removeably coupling said first member and said second member, said at least one latch mechanism including a damper biased against said housing and compressible in a horizontal direction in response to said vertical movement of said first member relative to said second member.
 2. An air filter assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said at least one latch mechanism includes a cage disposed on one of said first member and said second member, and a latch disposed on another of said first member and said second member in latching engagement with said cage to prevent separation of said first member from said second member.
 3. An air filter assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said damper is disposed between said latch and a vertical wall of said housing.
 4. An air filter assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said damper is disposed against an exterior surface of said housing.
 5. An air filter assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said damper includes a tubular grommet.
 6. An air filter assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said damper includes rubber.
 7. An air filter assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said latch is attached to said first member and said cage is attached to said second member, with said damper biased against a vertical wall of said first member.
 8. An air filter assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said first member is slideably disposed about an outer perimeter of said second member for said vertical movement of said first member relative to said second member, with said second member at least partially disposed within an interior of said first member.
 9. An air filter assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said latch includes a first portion attached to said housing, a spring portion attached to said first portion, and a second portion extending from said spring portion to a distal end and forming an acute angle with said first portion.
 10. An air filter assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said damper is disposed adjacent said distal end of said second portion.
 11. An air filter assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said acute angle decreases in magnitude during said vertical movement of said first member relative to said second member to move said distal end of said second portion closer to said housing, with said damper resisting said movement of said distal end to absorb energy.
 12. An air filter assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said second portion includes a detent for engaging said cage when in an initial position, and a wedge for engaging said cage during said vertical movement of said first member relative to said second member.
 13. An air filter assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said cage defines an enclosed opening with said first portion and said second portion of said latch moveably disposed within said enclosed opening.
 14. An air filter assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said spring portion biases said second portion away from said first portion and into latching engagement with said cage.
 15. An air filter assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said at least one latch mechanism includes an energy absorbing profile dependent upon a horizontal displacement of said latch during said vertical movement of said first member relative to said second member, and a compressibility of said damper.
 16. An air filter assembly for a vehicle, the air filter assembly comprising: a housing having a first member and a second member, said first member slideably disposed about an outer perimeter of said second member and vertically moveable relative to said second member, with said second member at least partially disposed within an interior of said first member; a filter disposed within an interior of said housing; and at least one latch mechanism configured for removeably coupling said first member and said second member, said at least one latch mechanism including a damper biased against said housing and compressible in a horizontal direction in response to said vertical movement of said first member relative to said second member.
 17. An air filter assembly as set forth in claim 16 wherein said at least one latch mechanism includes a cage disposed on said second member, and a latch disposed on said first member in latching engagement with said cage to prevent separation of said first member from said second member, with said damper disposed between said latch and a vertical wall of said housing and configured for resisting horizontal movement of said latch toward said housing.
 18. An air filter assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein said latch includes a first portion attached to said first member, a spring portion attached to said first portion, and a second portion extending from said spring portion to a distal end and forming an acute angle with said first portion, wherein said damper is disposed adjacent said distal end of said second portion.
 19. An air filter assembly as set forth in claim 18 wherein said acute angle decreases in magnitude during said vertical movement of said first member relative to said second member to move said distal end of said second portion closer to said housing, with said damper resisting said movement of said distal end to absorb energy.
 20. An air filter assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein said at least one latch mechanism includes an energy absorbing profile dependent upon a horizontal displacement of said latch during said vertical movement of said first member relative to said second member, and a compressibility of said damper. 